And so it begins...4runner revamp!

[MT Tatman]

Took the 4runner up in the hills one more time before the engine transplant. Had a great day.

 

[MT Tatman]

one more shot. How camo paint helps a rig not be invisible, but discreet and not obnoxious, and not detract from the outdoor experience of others....nothing to see here, move along...

 

[MT Tatman]

Weekend of motor build and transplant starts tomorrow!!! I can't wait for the first bloody knuckle!!! So excited, not sure if I'll sleep much tonight!!! Wheeeee-Haw! New motor here we come! I may not shower til Monday, just to Savor the flavor of grease!!!

 

[SV_Dude]

I may not shower til Monday, just to Savor the flavor of grease!!!

Do us all a favor and maintain hygiene. The grease and bloody knuckles will come with or without the shower.

As for the engine, any specific plans on it? Performance mods, etc?

 

[MT Tatman]

Mainly just the better head and RV type Crawler cam. Keeping original size valves for reliability/easy fix. I'll have better low end torque, basically. Not going too far from stock. I figure if my 340,000 mile motor can do it, a new motor will be just fine. I plan on off road fun, but street-ability as well.

 

[MT Tatman]

Rocker arms all rebuilt. Going to paint the block and oil pan camo to match the 4runners paint job
.

 

[MT Tatman]

Good squish test! Camo block to match the paint job and got the bottom end done! We aim to finish tomorrow.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Oh man - that's just freakin' awesome right there!

:faint:

 

[MT Tatman]

Got the motor built today. plus I am painting everything I can in Camo. When we do the transplant I will paint the engine bay and underside of the hood camo as well.....going above and beyond with the camo paint! Even engine mounts and dipstick!! OCD Level 10!!!

 

[SV_Dude]

What paint are you using and how are you prepping all of the plastics that you're painting? I only ask about the prep work because plastics in an engine bay will have years of heat and oil on them and will be tough to get clean enough to hold paint well. I'm not saying you're not doing it right, your attention to detail would suggest that you are taking your time and doing things very well! Curious minds would like to know your process

 

[MT Tatman]

I use a Plastic friendly paint and high temp paint. lightly scuffed the plastic first.(after degreasing and scrubbing by hand) I am a little skeptical of some spots, but It's worked for me in the past, just not to this extent. I figure, I've got nothing to lose by trying to do all of the parts, except time.

 

[MT Tatman]

Finally had a day to pull the old motor! Painted the fan, underside of hood, few other bits, and scrubbed out engine bay for its camo paint.
I wore my favorite "Squidbillys" hat.

 

[KidVermicious]

Paddle faster. I hear banjos.





(that hat is rad and I want one)

 

[MT Tatman]

Clutch arrived today! Now waiting on getting my radiator back from the shop.....getting the 'ol "Once-over". Better than a new one w/aluminum and plastic!! If it weren't for the 4th coming this weekend, I'd be driving the new motor around. Seems like it won't be all together til the weekend after.
Seems like it is taking forever.

 

[MT Tatman]

I had to cover the bumper spikes while working on the engine and, well, Pink Balls just seemed natural to me.........I've always got pink balls clanking around my knees anyway....(that's a joke for the over 40 crowd.):lol:

 

[MT Tatman]

Well, my radiator is not in rebuildable condition. It has several issues....previously cut lines in there, and lots of seepage......Going to try and rind an old original one in reconditionable shape.....I really don't want an aluminum and plastic radiator.....:decision:out:

 

[MT Tatman]

Got a return call from a local Toyota guy, he has a couple of potentially serviceable radiators from my era of Pick ups. He'll give me a couple to take to the shop for $25. They say they can make one work, with maybe using bits of my radiator to compensate for any differences. They strongly agree with using an original quality radiator over any aluminum/Plastic one.
So I go for a little 30 mile drive in the morning to go and get 'em! Whooop!

 

[MT Tatman]

The radiators are at the shop!! The one we are aiming to use is from a 6cyl. Toyota, so it has a higher capacity...it looks real good as well. I'm stoked about that!

 

[MT Tatman]

The 6cyl. radiator is no good, but I will have a "Like-new" radiator in the next day or two. Today I scrubbed the engine bay with a scrubby brush, and a Toothbrush!...Yes, a freakin TOOTHBRUSH!!!!! Then I painted it all Camo to match the exterior and the Block and parts. Also picked up the Machined exhaust manifold today. Monday or Tuesday, the motor goes in!!!
Old motor and new motor, side by side.

 

[MT Tatman]

Talked to a fella today about this project, and he saw the basket of bolts in my pic w/ the toothbrush, and asked about that. I explained that I had soaked all of the hardware in degreased and scrubbed them clean as could be. I also told him about painting "everything" camo, even my exhaust manifold, which will be covered by a heat shield and not really visible...He asked me why I would waste all of this time on stuff that nobody is going to see, and that it will all be dirty as soon as I hit the hills with it. Also, that I could have had this new motor in weeks ago if I wasn't wasting my time on all this stuff.
All I had to respond with was a blank stare.....Maybe some folks approach projects differently, but I always try to do it right, the first time, and have the mentality of, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.....when else will I have this opportunity to make my 29 year old 4runner this happy??
Maybe I am a bit OCD, or maybe folks are just different. Am I nuts here, or what??